THE PRINCIPAL

mrs anna dickinson

Perhaps the word which has dominated conversations and many media articles over the past two years has been unprecedented. As a society, we struggled to understand the pandemic which hit our world back in 2020 and its impact on the way we live our lives. At a local level, we grappled successfully with the challenges with which we were presented in continuing to provide a quality Loreto education for our students.

The significant impact of the second wave of the virus required a severe lockdown across NSW and the need to continue to rapidly adapt to a different way of living. We look back at 2021 in sadness at lives lost in our own country and around the world, but with gratitude and admiration for those scientists and health workers working ceaselessly on the development of vaccines whilst caring for our sick and dying.

I am very proud of the way our staff and students demonstrated resilience, creativity, agility and compassion throughout these challenging months as they reverted to remote online learning. I look back on this year at Loreto Kirribilli with a deep appreciation and admiration for all who have ensured that our students continued to receive the quality care and education which are the hallmarks of our wonderful school.

The staff of Loreto Kirribilli have been nothing short of outstanding. In acknowledging the work of staff, I particularly express my thanks to our Deputy Principal, Mr Daniel Mahon, the School Executive team, Senior School and Junior School teachers and support staff for the hours of work they have invested in ensuring a smooth continuation of learning for our students. I am truly blessed to be supported by such outstanding, hardworking, caring staff - a wonderful team!

I also acknowledge with deep appreciation the support of the parent body and all that they did for their daughters throughout 2021. While the pandemic has affected everybody differently, there are some clear lessons and common themes emerging from NSW and around the world, particularly that face-to-face learning with an expert teacher is the ideal learning environment. Being at school with their teachers and peers is vital for student wellbeing as well as social and emotional development. We therefore were delighted when the NSW Government and Health released the roadmap for the return of students to school sites. It is with deep appreciation that I acknowledge our COVID-19 task force and maintenance teams for preparing for the safe return of our students and staff in Week 3 of Term 4. COVID-safe plans were developed which included keeping students isolated within year cohorts, managing movement around the site, mask wearing, requiring all staff to be vaccinated, natural ventilation solutions as well as purchasing HEPA ventilation units for each room throughout the entire school. As we awaited the girls’ arrival, we were confident that everything that could possibly be considered for the safety of our students and staff was in place. Standing at the gate and welcoming the girls back to our school site will be an experience I will remember for many years to come. The girls’ eyes peeping out above their masks revealed a range of emotions, some arrived quite apprehensively while others were excited to see their friends and teachers. As the week unfolded,

the girls relaxed, appeared happy and settled back into their normal routines.

While adhering to all NSW restrictions, we were delighted to be able to return Year 12 at the end of Term 3 for a short period within class groups. We felt it was important that the girls experience some of the ‘rites of passage’ of previous graduating classes; that is, ‘Ringing of the school bell’, being presented with graduation gifts, and photo opportunities with their friends and Year class teachers. The girls enjoyed and expressed their appreciation for all the special moments we created which included the online Graduation Ceremony Prelude.

In the final Spirit article each year, I acknowledge the special qualities of each graduating class. This year has a particular poignancy in doing so. These outstanding young women have experienced the most unusual and challenging final two years of their education. Throughout this entire experience they have modelled outstanding leadership, demonstrating resilience and fortitude whilst balancing the demands of the HSC and all its uncertainty. With a determined mindset they were eager to serve the school community while remaining focused on their academic pursuits. They supported and cared for one another and the younger students in the school, confidently voicing suggestions and solutions to the challenges we faced, as well as finding ways to elicit joy and positivity. We look forward to celebrating with the Class of 2021 in the first week of the 2022 school year with a very special Graduation Jubilarian and Award Ceremony followed by the Blue and Gold Graduation Dinner. Next year will also see us building upon our longstanding relationship with our neighbour St Aloysius’ College with a new program called Companions in Learning. With a foundation of common Catholic and educational values in the Ignatian tradition, Companions in Learning will serve as a platform for the two schools to work together on extra-curricular experiences across four important pillars: Social Justice; Community Engagement; Respectful Relationships; and Academic Companionship.

We are excited by the potential of Companions in Learning to deliver new experiences that will help form and prepare our girls for the outside world.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the change of leadership in the Junior School. As many would be aware, Ms Alison Brent stepped down from the position of Head of Junior School due to significant health challenges after leading the Junior School with distinction for 14 years. I thank Alison for her exceptional leadership and passion for the education of young people. She has had a wonderful impact on the lives of so many children, teachers and support staff, and her deep faith and educational leadership have been a gift to Loreto Kirribilli. We extend to Alison our deepest appreciation, blessings and best wishes for the future. Earlier this term we farewelled Mr Martin Lobo, who generously stepped out of retirement to become acting Head of Junior School during the senior leadership transition period. We appreciate the joy and energy Martin brought to our community, and are grateful for the talents he generously shared with each of us. After a significant recruitment search, we were delighted to appoint Mrs Sharon Portlock and welcomed her to the role of Head of Junior School at the commencement of Term 4. The Junior School is truly blessed to have had the continuation of strength of leadership in the Head of Junior School as well as the leadership, support and dedication of the management team and staff.

As we go to press, I am also pleased to congratulate our talented Mock Trial team who are 2021 Grand Final Champions. Loreto Kirribilli have now won the prestigious competition for two of the last three years - an outstanding achievement!

Finally, I conclude with a note of hope. I am sure you will see throughout this edition of Spirit, articles and photos that reflect a community, that even during the most challenging of circumstances, is one of spirit, hope and optimism - a community that inspires me each and every day. The following prayer of hope was one I shared with staff recently and now gift to you.

I wish you all a holy, happy and hope-filled Christmas.

Lord Jesus, Hope overcomes Hope heals Hope restores Hope inspires Hope conquers Hope frees Hope is your gift to the world. Amen.